PORTLAND, Maine — A diving play by Portland Sea Dogs second baseman Mookie Betts turned into a game-ending double-play and thwarted what was a bases-loaded, no outs situation in the ninth inning of the Thunder 4-3 loss to the Sea Dogs in front of 5,397 at Hadlock Field Saturday.

A solo homer by Travis Shaw in the bottom of the eighth off Taylor Garrison (1-1) broke a 3-all tie.

In the ninth, the Thunder loaded the bases with a walk, hit batsman and an error by third baseman Heiker Meneses. The next batter was Ben Gamel who was celebrating his 22nd birthday and was 3-for-4 in the game up to that point. Reliever Jose Valdez fanned Gamel for the first out to bring Rob Refsnyder to the plate.

Refsnyder slapped a line drive to the right side of the infield, but Betts dove to make the catch, popped to his feet, wheeled around and threw behind Taylor Dugas at second base for the final out

The Thunder jumped out to a 2-0 lead thanks to Peter O’Brien’s fifth home run in seven games with Trenton and consecutive doubles by Tyler Austin and Dan Fiorito in the second inning. A sacrifice fly by Gary Sanchez scored Gamel in the third for a 3-0 lead.

The loss spoiled the Double-A debut of Eric Ruth who allows two runs over 4⅔ innings. He did not factor in the decision. Robby Scott (5-1) earned the win in relief while Valdez notched his third save of the season.

Trenton, which has now lost a season-worst five games in a row, is 3½ games behind East Division leader Portland.

• Before the game, Ruth was transferred from the Single-A Staten Island to start the game. Combined between Single-A Tampa and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season, he is 2-1, 3.99 with 27 strikeouts in 29⅓ in eight appearances (two starts).

Lefty Cesar Cabral, who has big league experience each of the last two seasons with the Yankees, was sent down from Triple-A SWB. Cabral allowed 12 runs in 19⅔ innings (5.49 ERA) with the Thunder a year ago over 15 appearances. In four appearances this season in New York, the lefty allowed three runs on four hits and two walks in one inning.

To make room, righty Cole Kimball was transferred to Single-A Staten Island’s roster and switch-pitcher Pat Venditte was promoted to Triple-A. Venditte allowed two runs in 22 innings including a shutout inning in Friday’s games. Venditte leads Eastern League relievers in batting average against (11-for-77, .143). He is also third in strikeouts per nine (12.27) and second in fewest base runners per nine (6.55).